What is the penalty for practicing massage therapy without a license in Maryland?

Practicing massage therapy without a license in Maryland carries significant legal repercussions, primarily involving fines and potential criminal charges. This is designed to maintain public safety and ensure that only qualified and trained individuals provide such therapeutic services. The importance of licensing in massage therapy is rooted in the necessity for practitioners to have the proper education and training, which helps prevent harm to clients and maintains the integrity of the profession.

Fines serve as a financial penalty for violating the licensing regulations, and depending on the severity of the infraction, there could also be criminal implications ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. This approach underscores the state's commitment to regulating the practice of massage therapy effectively and protecting consumers from unqualified practitioners.

Other penalties such as suspension from practice, mandatory training sessions, or public reprimands may apply in different contexts but do not encompass the primary legal consequences for practicing without a license. In this instance, fines and the possibility of criminal charges are the most relevant and severe repercussions that directly address the act of practicing without proper licensure.